Former N. Ga. Catholic priest convicted in Ohio sex abuse case

CINCINNATI, Ohio - A Catholic priest who worked in more than a half-dozen Georgia towns is now a convicted child molester in Ohio.

Rev. Robert Poandl of Fairfield-based Glenmary Home Missioners, was found guilty of the sex charges in federal court Friday, according to news reports out of Ohio. Poandl was convicted on one count of transportation of a minor across state lines for illicit purposes.

The 72-year-old Poandl was accused of sodomizing a 10-year-old boy in a West Virginia church rectory in 1991. His accuser, who is now 32, told the court that he suffered nightmares after the attack, experimented with drugs and even plotted to kill the priest and commit suicide, according to Ohio media reports.

Poandl faces up to 10 years in prison for the conviction.

In addition to serving parishes in Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi, Poandl served several congregations in Georgia, including some in Blairsville, Cleveland and Dahlonega.